(11.4.14) In October, Heather Torok, Saint Luke’s Foundation’s Healthy People Senior Program Officer, attended the Urban Universities for HEALTH’s Learning Collaborative and served as a judge for the organization’s Data Innovation Challenge. As part of this event, three participants from the Urban Universities for HEALTH Learning Collaborative presented their unique ideas on emerging data innovations that are intended to improve health equity within their local communities. The judges evaluated each presentation and awarded funding to support further development of one or more of these ideas.

Urban Universities for HEALTH has identified three core areas where universities can make a difference: 1) Access: Universities can help increase access to care in underserved communities by graduating more health professionals who will serve in those communities; 2) Competence: Universities can work to ensure their graduates have the background, qualities and skills needed to provide effective and equitable care; and 3) Educational opportunity: universities can provide more educational opportunities and support for students who are underrepresented in the health professions.

Urban Universities for HEALTH is a partnership effort of the Coalition of Urban Serving Universities/Association of Public and Land-grant Universities with the Association of American Medical Colleges and the National Institutes of Health. Its mission is to enhance and expand a culturally sensitive, diverse, and prepared health workforce that improves health and reduces health disparities in urban communities.

Saint Luke’s Foundation’s grantee, Cleveland State University and Northeast Ohio Medical University, is one of the five Urban Universities for HEALTH demonstration sites located throughout the United States.

To learn more about Urban Universities for Health, click here to be directed to their website.